Mark Your Calendars – Beer Festivals Approaching Quickly

When the calendar flips to a new year it means you usually have few weeks off from major beer events in Seattle. But, don’t get too comfy. Before you know it Seattle Beer Week will be here and you won’t know what to do with yourself. Here are several events coming up in the next few months that you might want to check out:

Ellensburg Winterhop – Jan 19 – SOLD OUT. Too late to get in on this popular festival in Ellensburg.

Strange Brew Festival in Port Townsend – Jan 25 to 27 – One of the region’s most unique festivals, the attending breweries will bring some crazy beers. Crazy interesting, and hopefully crazy good.

Belgianfest – Feb 2 – Belgianfest returns to the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Seattle’s waterfront for the second year in a row. Lots of great Belgian-style brews from WA breweries. This has become one of my favorite fests of the year. Get your tickets while you still can.

The BIG BEER Festival – Feb 16 – This 1st annual Tacoma festival comes to you from the people behind the Tacoma Craft Beer Festival. 20 breweries pouring 60+ “BIG BEERS”. They list a few beers that will be pouring, including Deschutes 2011 Abyss and Silver City Imperial Stout.

Hops & Props – Feb 23 – SOLD OUT – You have to get in on this festival at the Museum of Flight early if you want to attend.

Beveridge Place Barleywine Bacchanal – Feb 23 to Mar 2 – Let the celebration of barleywine begin! More than 40 different barleywines rotating throughout the week. Includes verticals and special releases.

Brouwer’s Cafe Hard Liver Festival – Mar 23 – One of the country’s largest barleywine fests. Hard Liver features over sixty barleywines and includes a professional judging.

Washington Cask Beer Festival – Mar 30 – This is probably my favorite Seattle beer fest. More than 70 unique beers from WA breweries served from a cask. Moves to the larger Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center this year to allow for more breweries and seating. Look for tickets to go on sale any day now.

Seattle Beer Week – May 9 to 19 – Lots of great events already being planned. I’m excited about the new Brewgrass event on May 11 at Hale’s Palladium, featuring 10 local breweries with one-off creations and live music.